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Precious Metal BVAu-5 vs BVAu-8

Precious Metal · grade comparison

Precious Metal BVAu-5 and BVAu-8 are both precious metal grades. BVAu-5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for BVAu-8, about 50% more; tensile strength follows at 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi). BVAu-5 is harder — 95 HB against 58 HB for BVAu-8 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BVAu-5 is lighter (11.3 g/cm³ vs 17.85 g/cm³ for BVAu-8) and BVAu-5 is stiffer (95 GPa vs 90 GPa). On the shop floor, BVAu-5 machines more easily (fair vs poor).

BVAu-5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

BVAu-8Choose it when the part sees heat.

BVAu-5 vs BVAu-8: properties

BVAu-5BVAu-8

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

95 GPa13.8 Msi
90 GPa13.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

36 GPa5.2 Msi
31 GPa4.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

125 GPa18.1 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.36
0.42

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
30%

Shear Strength

215 MPa31.2 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

95 HB
58 HB

Hardness, Vickers

100 HV
60 HV

Reduction in Area

—
50%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
85 MPa12.3 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

11.3 g/cm³0.41 lb/in³
17.85 g/cm³0.64 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

845°C1,553 °F
995°C1,823 °F

Liquidus Temperature

890°C1,634 °F
1,015°C1,859 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

75 W/m·K43.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
150 W/m·K86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

255 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
138 J/kg·K0.03 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F
15 µm/m·K8.3 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

130 J/g55.9 BTU/lb
70 J/g30.1 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

500°C932 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

19 % IACS
17 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

9×10⁻⁸ Ω·m3.54 µΩ·in
1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m3.94 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

0.15 V
0.25 V

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
95 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

45 / 100
30 / 100

Weldability

40 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

97 / 100
100 / 100

Polishability

95 / 100
90 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
30%

Same in both: Formability (cold) 88 / 100 · Castability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

76,000 MJ/kg3.27×10⁷ BTU/lb
230,000 MJ/kg9.89×10⁷ BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5,300 kg CO₂/kg
15,000 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

60,000 L/kg7,190 gal/lb
140,000 L/kg16,776 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

60%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

30 kN·m/kg
14 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

8.4 MN·m/kg
5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

118 kJ/m³
56 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

26 mm²/s
60.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

16
28

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every precious metal grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

50100200500101520Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleBVAu-5BVAu-8

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBVAu-5BVAu-8
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

BVAu-5 vs BVAu-8 — frequently asked

Is BVAu-5 stronger than BVAu-8?

Yes. BVAu-5 has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for BVAu-8 — about 50% more. Tensile strength is 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) vs 250 MPa (36.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, BVAu-5 or BVAu-8?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, BVAu-5 or BVAu-8?

BVAu-5. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (30/100) for BVAu-8.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BVAu-5 and BVAu-8 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.